One of the most interesting storylines that Washington Commanders fans have been watching closely this summer is the running back dynamic. Things are still working themselves out, but for one roster hopeful, it looks like the end of the road.
The Commanders made a flurry of transactions before Tuesday's training camp practice. Veteran kicker Jake Moody was released, and four new faces came into the fold. But someone always has to make way.
In one of the corresponding moves, the Commanders placed Jerome Ford on the reserve/injured list. The severity of the complication wasn't disclosed, but it might be the final nail in the veteran's pursuit of a roster spot in Washington.
Jerome Ford quickly fell behind in Commanders' running back dynamic
Ford was an intriguing addition to the ranks in free agency. The Commanders got him on the cheap, and there seemed to be a route to find his name on the squad with a strong summer.
Unfortunately, Ford became the forgotten man.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Rachaad White firmly entrenched themselves as the starting duo. Sixth-round rookie Kaytron Allen and undrafted free agent Robert Henry Jr. both flashed in the preseason. Even though Jeremy McNichols is nursing an injury of his own, the leadership and special-teams value he brings is deeply respected in the building.
This left little room for Ford. And now, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Commanders waive him with an injury settlement in the not-too-distant future.
This is another devastating setback for Ford.
And it'll take a significant amount of resolve to change the tide.
Jerome Ford's fate with the Commanders now seems almost inevitable
He fell down the pecking order when the Cleveland Browns drafted Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson last year, but his speed to be a home-run threat made him a dark-horse option for the Commanders to potentially rely on. Things didn't go according to plan, and others clearly outperformed him throughout the offseason.
Croskey-Merritt and White will make it. Allen is a recent draft pick, so it would be a surprise not to see his name on the squad after final cuts. Much will depend on McNichols' health, but he should make it.
That leaves Henry, a lively practice-squad candidate. But if the UTSA product continues to excel in the preseason, the chances of him being snapped off the waiver wire increase exponentially.
Perhaps putting McNichols on injured reserve and taking Henry through could solve this problem, but there is just no telling for sure right now.
As for Ford? It doesn't seem as if he is part of the team's plans moving forward.
It was strange to see him get only one carry in Washington's preseason opener against the Miami Dolphins, which was telling at the time and even more so now. And whatever injury problem Ford is dealing with, getting back quickly is imperative.
Otherwise, it'll be a long road back to relevancy for the 2025 fifth-round pick out of Cincinnati.
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